Concealed carry law: Impact on Law Enforcement

WAUSAU (WAOW) -- The concealed carry law is a big change for the state of Wisconsin. That means changes for local law enforcement agencies.

"Getting used to the law. How to address and deal with situations where someone might be carrying a concealed weapon," said Lt. Dale Wisnewski.

Lieutenant Dale Wisnewski with the Marathon County Sheriff's Department said training based on the new law is a top priority.

He said while deputies are taught to always look for dangerous situations, they will have to take a new approach.

"How to deal with a person that might be carrying a gun, how to deal and handle situations so that the person carrying the gun he doesn't feel like he's being harassed in any way. And we don't overreact in any way," said Lt. Wisnewski.

Everest Metro Police Chief Wally Sparks said his department will also be trained on how to react to the new law.

"How somebody with a CWW permit will respond when they have contact with law enforcement. You know that's kind of critical," said Chief Wally Sparks.

He said a big concern is officer safety.

"Now we have to take a couple of extra steps and function under the premise that it's more than likely they presume to be carrying legally. But the safety factors and how we normally respond to those, it's going to chance dramatically," said Sparks.

Both agencies said they are working with the Department of Justice so they can train their officers and deputies to handle the new law efficiently.

"It's just going to be a matter of us getting used to it," said Wisnewski.

"It's an adjustment period. I think law enforcement will do just fine with it," said Sparks.

Sparks said policies will also change for paramedics and emergency responders. They will get some new training on how to treat patients who might have a concealed weapon.